Beard Stubble vs. Respirator - Shocking Results | Could 3 Days of Stubble Kill You?
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- I tested 4 different kinds of respirator to see which could tolerate stubble, and which couldn't. Spoiler: Yes, your beard stubble interferes with the seal of respirators and it really could get you killed or injured.
STUBBLE
01:53 3M Aura 9205+
03:40 3M 6000 Series Elastomeric Respirator with 7093 P100s
04:48 GVS Elipse Source Control
07:20 ReadiMask
CLEAN SHAVEN
09:09 GVS Elipse Source Control
11:28 ReadiMask
This study on how facial hair affects masks seal shows that stubble and beards make filtering facepiece respirators perform worse, but N95s do better than earloop masks like KN95s and KF94s.
www.nature.com...
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Respirators used in the video:
3M Aura 9205+
www.3m.com/3M/...
My absolute favorite N95. Fits many people very well and are much more comfortable than older cup-style designs. Available at Home Depot.
•3M 6000 Series Elastomeric Respirator with 7093 P100s
multimedia.3m....
This light weight valved respirator can be converted to a source control respirator with the addition of the optional 3M 604 exhalation valve filter.
The respirator comes in 3 different sizes, but the large isn't much larger than the medium.
•GVS Elipse Source Control (Small/Medium - SPR643 / Medium/Large - SPR644)
www.gvs.com/en...
Easy to get, very narrow mask. Unforgiving seal leaks for some at the chin. I can't recommend this mask unless you have access to fit testing to confirm it seals well on you, including when moving your face. Absolutely 100% intolerant of any stubble, more so than any other mask I've ever tested. Must be used with smooth skin.
•ReadiMask Stick On N95
readimask.com/
These adhesive N95s come in different sizes. The acrylic adhesive version is said to stick more aggressively than the silicone version. I used the silicone in the video but will buy the acrylic next time.
Note that the test of the ReadiMask with clean shaven skin may have tested higher than it should have because the weight of the sample tube pulled the probe down, causing it to be partially covered by the mask so that it got more air right through the filter rather than the breathing zone between my nose and mouth. That may be why I got the highest score I've gotten with a ReadiMask. More testing is needed.
I wrote to 3M and they said the 6000 series is fine in an MRI.
Getting the techs to believe that might be a different issue.
This is really helpful. I've been considering one of the GVS Elipse masks, but now I'm concerned I might not be able to get a proper fit. At least beard stubble on my chin isn't going to be an issue anymore these days.
I have to get an MRI and have been really curious about the readimask, this was very helpful
I have a klein model of the GVS. This has me worried now that I'm not getting a proper fit.
The problem is that I can't afford a fit test machine like this. What should I do?
It is possible to do a home fit test with a nebulizer or ultrasonic mister and some fit test solution.
I'm surprised with this result. I have a heavy beard growth and I could find something in order of 0.5 to 1% leak with 3 days of no shave with 3M Aura that fits me well. (no particle counter but I could estimate it with aerosolilzed fit test solution. I've tested what my detection limit is to give me a ball park). My leak came from chins (tested by directing a nebulizer to different locations).
GVS was quite a surprise! I guess the shape of your face may not fit it and those seem picky for the shape of face they fit. (and they are rather small).
The GVS is one of the narrowest elastomeric half masks on the market - I have no idea why it is so unusually narrow, nor why they don't also market a wider version.
I think it is the stiffness of the elastomer and the seal design that makes the GVS so intolerant of stubble compared to other elastomerics I have. I'm thinking the seal just sits on top of the stubble rather than pushing down around it and. When it fits, it's one of my best masks, but when it doesn't it is my worst elastomeric, bar none. Even counterfeit masks perform better. That inconsistency makes it, possibly, my most dangerous mask.
I wonder if the leak beside the nose bridge with the ReadiMask is because you have it over top of your tear trough. It may be better if it is below the tear trough. Also perhaps washing oil one’s face to ensure there is no oil would make a difference.
We are going to keep doing more fit testing on portacount. Here is our test of the H95B ua-cam.com/video/JMdNtLlNPOQ/v-deo.html
Good to see that the BNX H95Bs fit some people. They are absolutely terrible on me. But fit is so individual.
Also nice to see a full OSHA fit test on a current PortaCount machine.
Right now I tend to do just quick, comparative static tests closer to what Aaron Collins does than full OSHA fit tests.
@@gerardhughes I haven’t tried fit testing those because they were so uncomfortable for me that I gave away my box!
I feel like you’re taping the readimask too close to your eyes?
It's possible.
Generally, on my face respirators must seat high on my nose bridge to work well. My nose is too easily pressed closed by the pressure of respirator seals of they are seated any lower. However the ReadiMask is different and doesn't require pressure to get a good seal, and I might be able to use it lower than I can use other masks. I have not tried to doing so yet.